Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-27
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the HERALD.

w WASHINGTON, MAY Aoj o.
This is Washington's gala week,
1t will be filed with martial music,
soldiers, visitors and events-bril-
liant pageants, exciting competitive
drills, reviews and street parades.
Probably never since the final days
of the war, when the armies of the
Potomac and of the West marched
through the great thoroughfare of
this city, has there been so fine
a military display as is promised
us during the present week.
The soldiers now encamped
around the base of the Washing
ton Monument represent thlrty-one
States, and they are the flower OF
the militia of the country. Many
of the organizations are noted for
their excellent discipline, and have
won trophies in State and inter
state drill contests. The same
ground on which the soldiers of the
war spread their tents and camped
has been assigned as quarters for
the visiting battalions and regi-
mehts, and every appointment for
convenience on the field has been
perfected, as well as throughout
the city for the care of the thou
sands of visitors incidental to the
occasion.
The drill opened to-day, but this
was the practical business day of
the meeting. The last arrivals of
troops were assigned to their loca-
tions on the camp ground, the camp
was formally chrlstened "Camp
George Washington, orders were
issued by General Augur, the COM
mandant of the camp, and at five
o'clock there was a formal opening
of the entertainment by a dress
parade by all of the assembled
troops. Tomorrow the competitive
drills will commence.
The judges of drill are all ex-
perienced army officers, who have
passed much time at the leading
institutions where the manuel OF
arms was thought of first in every
thing. The judges program has
not been made known, of course,
and no military organization will
be informed what maneuvers it will
be required to perform until it en-
ters the drill ground for each con-
test. The highest prize offered is
$1,000, and that is to the best COM
pany OF infantry.
1t takes quite good deal OF
money to run the dining room and
kitchen erected on the drill
ground for this occasion. The
kitchen is capable of preparing
food for four thousand persons at a
time, and is fitted up with the
largest range in the city. The di'
ming room seats twelve hundred
men, allowing seventeen inches of
room for each, and the caterer who
purchased this privilege says he
can reset the tables every twenty
five minutes. The amount of crock
cry is very large, nearly fifty thou
sand pieces. About nineteen hun
dred of the soldiers are attempting
to do their own cooking on account
of the bad treatment they have re-
ceived heretofore while attending
other drills. The caterer hopes
however, to win all of them over to
his establishment by doing we'll by
the soldiers. He is under contract
with the drill committee to charge
his military patrons only one dol
lar for three meals. Others he can
charge what he pleases.
Monday, the 3Oth, will be deco
ration day. On that day the sold
iers in camp will join the process
sion to Arlington, the National
cemetery, aud with the Grand
Army of the Republic, take part
in the exercises of the day. In the
afternoon OF the same day the
prizes and trophies, the flags and
stands OF colOrs, the medals and
cash premiums will be presented
to the successful competitors and
then the camp will break up. The
victors will receive their "spOils,"
of course, from the hands of the
President.
The government of this camp is
regular and rigid according to
Army regulations, thus giving
those who participate an idea OF
actual service, such as many of
them never had. All commands
are subject to camp duty, regular
inspection at quarters, daily dress
parade, and all rules, regulations
and orders that may be promulgat-
ed by the cOmmandant Of the
camp. All commands entered are
required too TO remain during the
full term of the camp, and are not
permitted to quarter and board
outside Of 1t.
The United States secret service,
which il ono Of tbp hest ORGANIZED